Scorpions crushed by Guyana Jaguars

Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood narrowly missed out on his fifth first-class hundred, but there was otherwise little enterprise from Jamaica Scorpions as they suffered a 181-run crushing at the hands of two-time reigning champions Guyana Jaguars here yesterday.

Set 329 for victory at the Guyana National Stadium, Scorpions failed to find the character necessary to save the encounter even with the entire second session lost to rain, and were dismissed for a disappointing 147, on the final day of their opening round regional four-day clash.

The right-handed Blackwood stroked 96 off 223 deliveries with 13 fours and two sixes, but lacked support as he was one of just three specialist batsmen in double figures, and the only one to pass 13.

Gudakesh Motie helped wreck the innings with four for 35, while fellow left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul finished with thee for 63 and seamer Keon Joseph, three for 18.

Jaguars picked up 17.8 points while Scorpions took away 4.8 points. Resuming the day on nine for two trying to avoid their fifth straight defeat to Jaguars, Scorpions lost wickets steadily to crash to 38 for five.

Guyanese Trevon Griffith, on four at the start, perished in the day's third over for 13, bowled by Joseph at 19 for three and nightwatchman Jason Dawes followed for three at 32 for four, caught at long-off off Motie.

When Andre McCarthy was leg before wicket to Permaul for two, Scorpions seemed unlikely to last until lunch, but Blackwood and Chadwick Walton (13) put on 54 for the sixth wicket to push the visitors to the interval at 47 for five.